NCT07002996 Spatial Memory Training and Cognitive Function

Eligibility & Interventions

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This trial targets 80 participants in total. It began in 2025-06-15 with a primary completion date of 2030-09-30.

Brief Summary

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is often considered a transitional stage between normal aging and dementia, particularly Alzheimer's disease (AD). Patients with MCI have subjective memory complaints corroborated by standard neuropsychological tests but remain functionally autonomous. One of the first brain regions to show AD pathology is the hippocampus (HPC). Reduction in HPC volume is a strong predictor of AD dementia. Therefore, improvement or restoration of HPC structure and function is thus an attractive target for improvement in memory and AD prevention strategies. In the current study, the investigators propose to examine the effects of a 3-month long spatial memory program on spatial memory and the hippocampus in patients diagnosed with MCI. Neuropsychological tests are also administered before and after the training to assess the effects of the intervention on cognition. In our previous research, the investigators have shown that spatial memory intervention program (SMIP) improves cognition and hippocampal based spatial memory compared to controls.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Age 55 years and above. 2. Primary language is English or French. 3. Individuals having received a diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Exclusion Criteria: 1. Self-reported having either of the following: Current post-traumatic stress disorder and/or generalized anxiety disorder; Substance use disorder; Significant heart disease (i.e., stroke occurring during 5 years prior to study assessment or cardiac disease non-stabilized with medication); Severe Depression, or a Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) score greater than 12; Current insomnia disorder. 2. Current medications for sleep problems, or use of medications that affect sleep. 3. Use of antidepressant and anti-anxiety medication for less than 3 months prior to study entry. 4. Use of analgesics with codeine (or other opioids). 5. Use of antipsychotic medication (past or current). 6. Having undergone brain surgery or ECT. 7. Self-reported colour-blindness. 8. General anesthesia in the past year. 9. Current smoker. 10. Suspected or confirmed traumatic brain injury during the last 24 months. 11. Motion sickness or intolerant to virtual reality tasks. 12. Cholesterol or hypertension medication for less than 3 months or changes expected within the next 9 months. 13. History or presence of neurological or psychiatric disorders (other than MCI) that in the opinion of the investigator may compromise patient safety or study objectives. 14. Current severe medical conditions (e.g. untreated diabetes, cancer) that in the opinion of the investigator may compromise patient safety or study objectives. 15. For female participants, severe menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes (determined from the Greene climacteric scale - any participants scoring over 15 is excluded). 16. Use of computer games that are designed to help with memory or general cognition. 17. Presence of any medical or psychological condition that, in the opinion of the principal investigator, may compromise the study objectives. 18. Presence of contra-indications for MRI scanning.

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